Qualifying for a mortgage can be one of the more frustrating aspects of the steps to buying a house , even if you have great credit. On the other hand, if your credit is bad or damaged, getting a loan will be even more difficult, but not impossible. Bad Credit, Bankruptcy, Short Sale and Foreclosure don’t mean you’ll never be able to buy a house; t...

As a Realtor people often ask me how market value is determined. Sellers want to know their market value so they can decide on a fair asking price. Buyers want to know the market value of their home so they can see that the price of the home is justified. Here is the advice that I usually I give them. Factors that Influence Mark...

As a Realtor, I have learned many lessons through the ins and outs of closing so many home sales over the years. This story is a recent one, which will stay with me for a long time and I thought that it was important to share in hopes that potential home buyers or home sellers might avoid this pitfall by taking some good real estate advice. I...

It seems in this "transitional community" we live in, with military, job growth, etc. we frequently do needs assessment over the phone or on-line... only planning showings once the buyers arrive and we hit the ground running. What is a needs assessment for a home buyer? and where do we start? Recently I had a buyer who lives here in town alre...

Ever wonder HOW and HOW MUCH a Realtor gets paid? Before I bought my first house, I was aware of HOW Realtors got paid. I had the chance to work in the industry earlier in my working career. However, it wasn’t until I started researching how to become a Realtor, and considered becoming a Realtor myself, that I learned more about HOW MUCH a real est...

People come to the Colorado Springs area from all over the country... the world for that matter. They move here primarily because of our military and technology companies, but also just for the sheer beauty and reasonable cost of living. The Pikes Peak region is a popular place. One of the first things people ask for (especially from the midwest or...

It's definitely a seller's market right now. Properties often receive multiple offers. Bidding wars are the norm, where the highest and best offer gets the house. Days on market have dwindled down so much that many homes sell the first day they are on market. I am working with a family right now who is super excited that we got their current ...

Wondering why Colorado Springs is seeing a severe shortage of inventory this year? Here are a couple of reasons: First, the median price of a home in Denver is currently $377,500, and the median price of a home in Colorado Springs is $246,800. As a result, folks from South Denver are having so much trouble finding a home to purch...

I'm so excited about this new listing! Built in 2001, this beautiful stucco home has 4 bedrooms, an office, great room, formal dining room, upper-level loft, finished basement and professionally landscaped yard! The main level features wood floors, spacious kitchen with island, pantry and counter bar, master bedroom with his/her closets...

I am beyond excited about this new listing! Built in 1952, this ranch floorplan sits on an oversized lot with mature trees, flowering shrubs, an expansive brick patio, fountain and even a greenhouse! This tastefully updated home features remodeled bathrooms and kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, and a warming drawer. It has wide p...

The appraisal of a home is a vital part of any real estate transaction, and the role of an appraiser is possibly one of the most critical parts of the entire transaction. See below as to how you, as a Seller, can be way ahead of the learning curve with just a few helpful hints from me when are you ready to put your home on the market for sale! 1. A...

When purchasing a home, you know the sales price you have negotiated, but when you make it to the closing table your might be surprised at some of the other expenses involved in the process. Here is a detail explanation of all of the out of pocket expenses you might encounter when you buy a house. Earnest Money Expense The first out of pocket ...

There is a lot of confusion about the differences between condos vs townhouses. They share many similarities, and this seems to be the source of this confusion. Even amongst real estate professionals we often hear more opinions than facts. If you are considering buying a condo or a townhouse, it is important for you to understand the different real...

I'm certainly not going to pretend to be an expert on all things regarding legal notary services around the globe. It only came to my attention a few years ago that it might not be as easy to process real estate paperwork everywhere as it is here! In the United States of America, many legal documents need to be notarized. For most of us, in o...

My family and I moved to Colorado Springs in the Fall of 2008 and we quickly fell in love with the lifestyle, the abundance of year-round outdoor activity, fresh air and lots of sunshine! Oh, and plenty of snow just to make things really exciting. This area has so much to offer no matter your season of life. But if you are like me, married with kid...

Will property taxes go up in 2017? Better yet, just how are property taxes calculated? Here, in Colorado Springs, the El Paso County Assessor re-evaluates the value of homes every two years. He starts with the current market value of the home. Market Value is based on the most recent comparable sales in the area. Once market value is determined, he...

In this crazy, fast-paced real estate market in Colorado Springs, if you blink you might miss out on getting the #1 home on your list. You need to know what you are doing and you need a good team on your side giving you the right advice. On Saturday February 4th, you are invited to a 1st Time Home Buyer's Seminar that will give you some great advic...

When you buy a house you certainly don't want to inherit someone else's debts or legal problems. This is one reason for a title Insurance policy. Title Insurance protects or insures that you have "Clear Title" to your property. Clear Title means that there are no liens, claims, judgments or problems with the title. The aim is to define the undisput...

There are probably a gazillion reasons why so many people are moving to Colorado, year after year, and after 27 years of living here myself, here are just a few of my own: WE HAVE JOBS! And we apparently have A LOT of them, and in a wide range of industries, especially in the professional and business sectors. As of November, 2016, the unemployment...

Well, if this isn't the cutest house! Check out my new listing. Built in 1972, this charming home features 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and over 1,600 finished square feet! Includes updated kitchen with Silestone counters, new cabinets, new sink/faucet, new flooring, new roof, new carpet, new lighting, new windows, new doors, new paint, updated ...